Improvement in bases for wooden columns



M. Mmmm.

BAS-.12sFora-Woo'nmr coLUJunrs.v y No.184;,645v. v v Patented N'ovQZl, 1876.

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THE GRAPHIQCNF -UNITED STATES PATENT Omron RIGHT yTO MILTON B. OROWELL, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BASES FOR WOODEN COLUMNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 184,645,1dated November 21, 1876 g application led October 31, 1676.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN MGDEVITT, of

'Hamptoln in the county of Elizabeth City and State of Virginia, have invented a certain new and useful Base for Wooden Columns, ol' which the following is a specification The object of my invention is to provide a cheap and durable support for wooden columns of buildings, porches, fences, Stic.; and my improvement consists in a hollow cast-metal' basepiece, having a central opening or socket at top for the reception of the column or post, and a series of openings at bottom to admit of a circulation of air and the passage of Water, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a base embodying my improvement; and Fig. 2, a plan View, halfin section, of the same.

My improved base A is formed of thin cast metal, and of any desired conliguration, square, circular, or polygonal. It is preferably entirelyopen at bottom, around which are formed va series of openings, c a, for the admission of air to its interior, and for the passage of rain or .other water. A central opening, al, is formed in its top, into which the post or column is inserted, a shoulder formed on the latter resting on the metal surrounding the opening al,

as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l.

It' preferred, a socket may be 'formed for the column by a ange on the base, so as to obviate the necessity of shouldering the column. Openings a c2 may be formed in the base for the insertion of horizontal rails, in situations where the latter are used.

The base may be retained in position by pins or bolts driven into the tloorin g or foundation contiguous to its corners, or lugs a3 a3 may be provided for the reception of spikes or bolts.

The base is to be cast as thin as possible, compatible with necessary strength, and may be liuted or ribbed, so as to combine additional strength with an ornamental alipearance.

' Among its advantages will be found practical economy, as it may be manufactured and sold in quantities as cheaply as the present Wooden bases, While its durability is obviously greatly superior to that of the latter. Moreover, the columns can be readily placed in position or removed, and the free circulation ot' air and water between the foundation and the lower end ofthe column tends to prevent rotting, which is a cause of deterioration in the ordinary construction.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- As a new article of manufacture, a hollow cast-metal base for wooden columns, having an upper opening or socket for the reception of thecolumn, and a series of openings around its bottom for the passage of air and Water, substantially as set forth.

MARTIN MCDEVITT. Witnesses:

M. B. CRoWELL, E,`D. WiLBEiN. 

